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Howdo. My name is Zach Magoon and I have been commuting year-round by bike for the last 7 years in both Boston, MA and Portland, ME. Because each day brings new challenges, whether it be changing weather conditions, crappy drivers, sore muscles or mechanicals, I think my ramblings will be, at the very least, moderately amusing.
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Horrific bike crash (not me) |
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Written by Commuter Files
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Thursday, 05 June 2008 |
My friend sent me a link to perhaps one of the most horrific bike crash photos I've ever seen. I just can't imagine how something like this can happen. A group of racers are essentially bowled over by a drunk driver in Mexico, killing one American and injuring ten others. The driver, a 29 year old, fell asleep while drunk at the wheel.
I've seen a couple of different crops of this photo and on this page it shows a police vehicle, which was being used as a pace car, swerving out of the way to avoid the oncoming drunk. Had he just stayed in the path, or skidded a little sideways, he might have saved the bikers from the impending crash. Perhaps he tried, who knows.
The photographer was apparently part of the race crew and snapped this amazing shot. To me, it doesn't even look real, but sadly, I've seen it on a number of sites and on the news, so I guess it's credible. Look how high those poor riders are thrown--bikes, helmets, shoes, water bottles, just thrown everywhere. It give me the shivers just thinking about it.
I often wonder as I am riding how I would react if I got hit again. I was hit in Boston a few years ago by a man taking a left hand turn into a parking lot. I luckily slid over the hood Dukes of Hazzard style. I bumped off this windscreen and slid down the other side. I only had a couple of bumps and bruises and a damaged rear wheel. I was so stunned that at first I really didn't know what to do. When asked by the driver (who just said "ok, ok?" if I was ok, I quickly said yes and reached down to get my bike. By the time I got to the sidewalk, he had driven off. Nice. But if I had just thought enough to get his license plate or even the make of the car, I would have called him in. At the very least I could've gotten a new wheel out of it. But no, I just limped off carrying my bike because the wheel was so tacoed it wouldn't turn. I lucked out.
But the poor bastards in that photo, man, made my incident look like a love tap. I have such anger in me for drunk drivers anyway, but "accidents" like this just infuriate me. This man needs to be put away for life. If Mexico doesn't do it, extradite his ass to the US, show a big blow-up of this photo and lock his ass up.
Be aware out there as you ride and please wear a helmet.
Zm
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